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Spain manager Luis de la Fuente has defended his use of Barcelona ace Lamine Yamal ahead of this month's UEFA Nations League matches. De la Fuente has named the teenage sensation in his squad for this month's games against Denmark on October 12 and Serbia three days later.
The La Roja boss trusted Yamal with a starting berth at the Euros, and the youngster has continued to revel in his role with the national team. Having named him in the squad for this month's games, the manager answered questions about potentially resting the youngster.
De la Fuente provided a measured response, that he will continue to call on his best players, including the Barcelona man. The manager added that national team matches are not the cause of player injuries, providing data to back up his claim.
"I’ll give you a fact: FIFA has done a study of the last 12 years of 40 days. The percentage of minutes played by players with the national team is 3.5 per cent. National team matches do not ‘injure’ anyone. We must compete and to do so we need the best.
"And with the few windows that we have, we must always turn to them. If I had the players in a club, for 10 or 11 months, I would manage their rest in a different way, but as a coach I must always call on the best."
Lamine Yamal is a key player for club and country, making 10 appearances for Barcelona this season. The youngster has recorded five goals and as many assists for Hansi Flick's side, making him one of their most key players.
Yamal has enjoyed a brilliant rise over the last year, going from a youth prospect to one of the world's best players. The 17-year-old was instrumental in La Roja's Euro 2024 triumph this summer.
Barcelona youngster Pau Cubarsi set for return to national team set-up
Barcelona's teenage star Pau Cubarsi has been included in the Spain squad for their UEFA Nations League games against Denmark and Serbia. The 17-year-old is one of five players who were not included last month.
Cubarsi has nailed down a regular berth under Hansi Flick this season, making 10 appearances. The youngster was a part of the preliminary Spain squad for Euro 2024 but was dropped ahead of the tournament and hasn't played for the senior side since then.
De la Fuente ía dealing with the absences of Rodri, Robin Le Normand, Dani Olmo and Unai Simon through injury. The manager extended invitations to Cubarsi, Pedro Porro, Alex Baena and Mikel Moreno, with Alvaro Morata also returning to the squad.
